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Leading newspaper editor beaten unconscious outside son's school

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(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns a violent attack on leading journalist Amare Aregawi on 31 October 2008 in Addis Ababa. Aregawi, who edits "The Reporter", a large-circulation daily published in both Amharic and English-language versions, sustained serious head injuries in the attack.

"The Ethiopian police must investigate this attack thoroughly in order to identify both the perpetrators and the instigators," Reporters Without Borders said. "A show of firmness will convince others who might be tempted to use physical violence to settle scores with the press that such behaviour would not go unpunished."

Aregawi was dealt blows to the back of the head with a stone by one or several men as he was leaving his son's school in the capital's Bole district at about 4:00 p.m. (local time) on 31 October. He lost consciousness immediately and, bleeding heavily from his injuries, was rushed to Hayat hospital in serious condition.

Journalists at "The Reporter" said one of his assailants was arrested, as was the driver of a taxi they were going to use to get away. The police are investigating.

The newspaper's staff said the motive for the attack was not yet known but that Aregawi had received threatening phone calls.

On 22 August, Aregawi was arrested after a large, privately-owned brewery brought a libel complaint against the newspaper. He was released five days later on payment of a small bail amount. The libel suit was withdrawn soon afterwards.

"The Reporter" is owned by Media & Communication Centre (MCC), a company created and run by Aregawi, who used to head Ethiopia's public television. He is one of the country's best-known journalists.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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